Twitch Front Page: The Ultimate Guide 2025
Twitch's Front Page carousel has been a staple of the homepage since its inception. Its value is derived from the main player (hero slot), autoplaying for anyone who visits the platform. That gives those featured a significant boost in total viewership and the potential to bring in new viewers. This combination makes it a highly coveted feature for creators. Until last year, Front Page access had been one of the best-kept secrets, often requiring knowing an employee at Twitch (or having over 200 self-paid subscribers).
Fortunately, in late summer 2024, Twitch decided to make Front Page features a perk for Twitch Partners. While Twitch has compiled a comprehensive FAQ (over 2,400 words), my guide to Twitch's Front Page will cut through some of the noise and answer the most common Partner questions. I may even be able to offer some forbidden knowledge! But let's start with the basics.
This post was last edited in July 2025.
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How to Apply for the Front Page?
At the beginning of each month (historically, 1st-4th), Twitch's Partner Discord will announce that Front Page Applications are open for the next month. (i.e., If today is January 3rd, the application will open for dates in February.) Partners will be encouraged to complete a form with their channel name, email, and the day they want Front Page. You'll also select an 8-hour timeframe (multiple choice) and be asked to describe what you plan to do during that time frame. I recommend that you take this application seriously, but don't overthink it; don't feel that you need to plan an elaborate event. People have been accepted with just a few sentences, while others have been denied after submitting detailed 500-word essays.
Applications will close near the end of the month (historically, the 22nd to 26th). Typically, between the 26th and 29th, you will receive an ACCEPTANCE or a DENIAL email. Check your Spam inbox!
As of July 2025, it appears that you can now apply every single month. It may be wise to apply, as there's no guarantee you will get your 'ideal' month in the future.
Pre-Front Page Checklist
You've been accepted for the Front Page, and now you're wondering what to do to prepare? I've given this same advice to multiple Partnered friends in the past, so I hope it serves you well.
- Tell your Mods. While the Front Page is typically a positive experience, the added exposure may drive some trolls into your stream, but nothing a couple of active mods can't handle.
- Take advantage of the full 8 hours. You can stream before or after, but try to stay live for the entire time you're featured. You will automatically be placed on the Front Page any time you are live in that 8-hour window. If you go offline for any reason and return during those 8 hours, you'll again be put in the carousel.
- Turn off ANY Content Classification Labels (CCLs) and avoid streaming content that would require those labels. These Labels (Politics, Sexual Themes, Drugs, etc.) will mean you DO NOT appear on the Front Page. Mature Games does not impact your Front Page placement, though.
- Make sure you are in a Category, or you will not be visible on the Front Page.
- You're NOT locked into the plan. If your application said you would play Fortnite but want to play a new game that just released, you can do that!
- If you usually multistream to other platforms, don't do it on your Front Page day. New rules, effective as of June 2025, prohibit it.
- Encourage people to say hello or click into the stream. The vast majority of your viewership will not be in-chat as they are looking at the Front Page, so use a Call to Action (CTA) regularly to perhaps inspire someone to click in and say hello!
- Pin a Message! Something like "Hi! Welcome in! Click follow and say hello, as this is my first time on the Front Page!" may offer a compelling CTA for new people to chat for the first time.
- Avoid Follower/Sub-Only Chat. You want new people to engage with your stream; limiting people from doing so may hinder growth. I understand the safety reasons, but it's worth exploring during your Front Page slot!
Common Front Page Questions
What is the difference between the Front Page Carousel and Shelves?
When I say Front Page, I mean Front Page Carousel. The Carousel is the automatic player that appears at the top of the page.
Shelves are live content groupings. Shelves can be themed (Christmas, Halloween, Summer Games Fest), event (Pride Month, Legendary Women, AAPI Month), or specific content (A New Game, Drops, Hype Trains), among others.
Shelves can result in additional exposure, but appearing on them does not contribute to your view count.
How long will I be on the Front Page?
You will be on the Front Page for the 8-hour window you have been approved for. Any time you are live, you will be featured during that 8-hour window. You can stream for two hours, take a 4-hour break, and then stream for two more hours to complete the feature.
Realistically, what will the outcome be?
The Front Page is a mixed bag. Yes, your viewership number will increase significantly, but the actual growth you experience will be relatively limited. Instead, the real value of the Front Page is that you'll be pushed higher in TWO important places:
- The Sidebar. As your channel has so many additional viewers, your existing followers may be curious about what's happening to warrant such a big jump in views. Expect to see a LOT of familiar faces as a result.
- The Category. If you're playing a game where many larger creators typically bury you, this will push you much higher in the Browse function. There's enormous value here in potential new audiences.
Other than that, you shouldn't expect a lot. The Front Page typically has minimal long-term impact on most channels.
Does Twitch tell you if you've been accepted or denied, Front Page?
Normally, yes. Twitch should send you either an ACCEPTANCE or a DENIAL email.
However, Twitch occasionally has 'hiccups' in the system. So, if you didn't receive an email, check your Dashboard on the day/time you selected. A "Scheduled Promotion Just Started" message will appear in your Activity Feed when the Front Page starts. A good backup option!
What does Twitch mean by this: "Streams scheduled and promoted through this program may not then be sold to sponsors nor include any advertised or sponsored campaigns."
Twitch doesn't want you going to a brand and saying, "Hey, I'm going to be on the Front Page on so-and-so-date, do you want to give me $100 to promote you during it?" Basically, you can't use it to sell ads or pick that day to do one of those StreamElements sponsorships.
You can continue to promote your existing brand partners. You can tell people about your merch or Etsy store. You can tell people how they can hire/commission you.
I'm freaking out and nervous!
Breathe! The Front Page is a fun perk, it won't make or break your career - so just enjoy it!
Forbidden Front Page Knowledge
The following tips are forbidden knowledge. That's a bit of hyperbole, but it's fun to say. The platform likely knows about this, but doesn't or cannot endorse it. To that end, I'm not specifically suggesting that you should do any of these things; they are simply bits of information that are secretly shared among Partners. It's paywalled because it's knowledge better kept quiet. So, if you join Premium, shhhh!! Loose Lips Sink Ships! You are responsible for any choices you make as a creator. As such, interpret this entire section only for entertainment purposes.
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